With the revival of democracy in the Czech Republic, government is increasingly responding to public demands and public interests. There is increasing public interest in transparent decision-making, in satisfying rights for information and in quality of the environment.

Many non-governmental organisations and foundations engaged in public interest issues have been created.

New obligations for government results fromthe membership of the European Union, including higher quality public involvement.

Listina základních práv a svobodč. 2/1993 Sb., ve znění zákona č. 162/1998 Sb., (Charter of rights and liberties no 2/1993, novelised by the Act no. 162/1998) cites in division II. - Political rights (Oddiel II – Politická práva) article 17, that each citizen has the right for information, to say his/her opinion through different medias. According to article 18 each citizen has the right to say his/her opinion through petition, send his/her demands, opinions, requests, complaints, to the government or to the organs of self-governance. Article 21 cites that each citizen has the right to take part in administration of public interests directly, or through chosen representatives. Article 35 cites that each citizen has the right to have information about the environment and the condition of natural resources. For further information click here

Zákon č. 114/1992 Sb., o ochraně přírody a krajiny, ve znění pozdějších předpisů, (Act about environment and landscape protection no 114/1992) Hlava třetí, § 70 Účast občanů (Part III. Para 70) cites that each citizen has the right to take part in nature protection through direct concern, or through public organizations, volunteer organizations or activists. The act also cites that each public organization has the right to demand to be informed in advance about intended interventions affecting nature and landscape protection. According to this act, public organizations can participate under specified conditions.For further information click here

Zákon č. 123/1998 Sb., o právu na informace o životním prostředí, ve znění pozdějších předpisů), (Act about right for information about environment no 123/1998). This act cites that every citizen has the right to get information about the condition of the environment, or related information about the environment, except that which is protected as secret data, personal protection, protection of intellectual property, protection of business secret or other special cases defined by the act. For further information click here

Zákon č. 106/1999 Sb., o svobodném přístupu k informacím, ve znění pozdějších předpisů, (Act about free access to information no 106/1999). According to this act each natural or corporate body has the right to get the required information, except when it is restricted for reasons specified in the act.For further information click here

Zákon o obcích č. 128/2000 Sb., ve znění pozdějších předpisů, (Act about township no 128/2000). This act in part 2, according to para 16 Občané obce (Parish citizens) cites that each citizen aged 18 or over has the right to vote or to be voted as a delegate of the parish, vote in the local referendum, have his/her opinion about the issues discussed by the parish council. Citizens have the right to see the parish budget and have his/her proposals and ideas listened to. For further information click here

Zákon č. 100/2001 Sb., o posuzování vlivů na životní prostředí, ve znění pozdějších předpisů (Act about environmental impact assessment no 100/2001). According to this act, each citizen has the right to take part in environmental impact assessment when a proposed development could seriously harm the environment. Each citizen has the right to annotate particular levels of administration or to be a partaker of the governance.For further information click here

Zákon č. 22/2004 Sb.o místním referendu (Act about local referendum) cites that each citizen who has the right to vote for a parish council can vote in a local referendum. For further information click here

Zákon č. 183/2006 Sb., o územním plánování a stavebním řádu (stavební zákon), ve znění pozdějších předpisů, (Spatial planning Act and Building policy no. 183/2006 - so called “Building Act”). According to this act the public has the right to be informed and involved in talking over and amending the basic documents of spatial planning (layout, concept, proposal).Download pdf

List of organizations and foundations that are dealing with public participation, involving communities in different projects and providing financial or methodical support and educational programmes in the field of public participation.